Loses power intermittently, stops

Tiny
ZOOBIE
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 SATURN SL2
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
Sometimes loses power when accelerating and actually stops running at stop lights. I have had the alternator and battery tested, both good. Someone mentioned sensors that could be shutting off the engine. How would I test? I have no sensor codes or meter. Thanks
Saturday, August 13th, 2016 AT 1:54 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Does the check engine light ever come on when it is running? Also when you loose power you should have the exhaust tested for excessive back pressure.
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Saturday, August 13th, 2016 AT 6:04 PM
Tiny
ZOOBIE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes, the check engine light comes on while driving then turns off. I just came back from a drive. It shut off at just about every stoplight. Then, it starts as if nothing happened. On the way back, it drove normally and did not shut off once. I cannot really be spending any money testing because as soon as I replace it, it is going to the boneyard. Thanks
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Saturday, August 13th, 2016 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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So are you looking to fix it or are you just scraping it? You could have a sticking EGR valve which you could clean to get by for a little while.
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+1
Saturday, August 13th, 2016 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
ZOOBIE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I am looking to fix it so I can get to and buy another car.
It runs strong.
It just tries to die, cough, and lose power even shuts off whenever it wants.
It especially hates stoplights while idling.
Can bad sensors shut down the engine?
Thanks
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Saturday, August 13th, 2016 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Again it sounds more like a sticking EGR valve, but a bad coolant temperature sensor on that car can cause some crazy things to happen even dying. A map sensor can cause dying as well.
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Saturday, August 13th, 2016 AT 9:59 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method
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Saturday, August 13th, 2016 AT 10:03 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
There is a how to so you can see what codes you have. Let me know what the code numbers are.
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Saturday, August 13th, 2016 AT 10:06 PM

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